Money Laundering

Debate between Baroness Chakrabarti and Lord Agnew of Oulton

Wednesday 24th November 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chakrabarti (Lab)]

My Lords, in 2018 the National Economic Crime Centre was launched to tackle fraud and money laundering. Has it brought a single prosecution? We read reports of banks having potentially forged customers’ signatures on court documents to repossess homes and businesses. Have the NECC or the FCA brought a single investigation? Is the Minister content with this state of affairs?

[Lord Agnew of Oulton (Con)]

My Lords, the National Economic Crime Centre leads and co-ordinates the UK’s response to economic crime. Prosecutions for economic crime are pursued by the National Crime Agency and other enforcement partners. Annually, some 7,900 investigations, 2,000 prosecutions and 1,400 convictions take place in connection with money laundering-related activities.

Net-zero Emissions Target

Debate between Baroness Chakrabarti and Lord Agnew of Oulton

Monday 11th October 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chakrabarti (Lab)]

My Lords, on the one hand we have soaring utility prices, and on the other hand we have imminent climate catastrophe. The Minister repeatedly says he wants to move in an orderly fashion. Does that not point towards greater intervention and greater public ownership of vital utilities?

[Lord Agnew of Oulton (Con)]

I am sure the noble Baroness will know that the current squeeze on gas prices has nothing to do with the quantity of gas available; it is a geopolitical move by Russia to put pressure on Europe, and we are caught up in it. Public ownership of our own utilities would make no difference.